One of the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas speaks out after spending nearly 500 days in captivity, saying she has “returned to my life.”
In a post on Instagram, Emily Damari, 28, also wrote: “Thank you, thank you, thank you, I’m just the happiest in the world.”
Damari is an Israeli-British citizen who lost two fingers during the Hamas speech on October 7, 2023. attack on Israel, the Associated Press reported, citing authorities. Her condition was said to be stable on Sunday after being freed from the Gaza Strip.
“Yesterday I was finally able to give Emily the hug I dreamed of,” her mother Mandy Damari also said in a statement on Monday. Forum for Hostages and Missing Families, who has advocated for the release of the prisoners.
Emily Damari (right) and her mother Mandy are seen together after Emily was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza on Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP/Israeli Army)
“I am relieved to report that Emily is doing much better than we could ever have expected after her release,” her mother continued. “In Emily’s own words, she is the luckiest girl in the world; she has her life back.”
Mandy Damari described her daughter’s release as an “incredibly happy moment for our family”, but said: “We must also remember that there are 94 other hostages left.”
“The ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families,” she added.
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Former hostage Emily Damari and her mother Mandy make a video call with Emily’s brother Tom Damari on Sunday, January 19, after she was released from Hamas captivity.
“As great as it is to see Emily’s resilience, these are still early days. As you saw yesterday, Emily lost two fingers on her left hand,” Mandy Damari also said. “She now needs time with her loved ones and her doctors as she begins her road to recovery.”
Damari was one of three hostages freed by Hamas on Sunday as part of a terror campaign ceasefire agreement.
In return, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank.
Romi Gonen, right, and her mother Merav hold each other near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel after Romi was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. (AP/Israeli Army)
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The other two Israeli hostages released were identified as Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.
